• March 29, 2024

Growers under ‘extreme stress’

 Growers under ‘extreme stress’

The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) said yesterday that the decision by domestic cigarette manufacturers to halt production as of April 1 was creating ‘extreme stress’ among growers, according to an Outlook India story relayed by the TMA.

Manufacturers halted production because of what they saw as ambiguity in a law requiring tobacco packaging to carry from April 1 graphic and textural health warnings covering 85 percent of the front and back of packs.

FAIFA issued a statement attacking the government’s order, saying it was implemented ‘without giving a fair chance to the process of legislative review’.

The organization, which represents tobacco growers and farmers who grow other crops, asked the government to reverse the order.

Tobacco crops are said to be lying unsold in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, while farmers have bank loans they have to repay.

FAIFA said that farmers would not be able to recover from their losses if the government did not take immediate action.